3 ways to keep your kids’ kidneys healthy

Why are kidneys important? We all know that they help to remove waste and extra fluids from the body. But did you know that kidneys remove drugs from the body, release hormones that regulate blood pressure, and produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong bones as well?

Well, the bean-shaped organ that is typically 10-12 cm in length, 5-7 cm in width, and 2-3 cm in thickness, does all this and more. Weighing 150 gm in men and about 135 gm in women, the kidney also removes acid that is produced by the cells of the body and maintains a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals like sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium—in your blood. Therefore, it is very important that we keep our kidneys healthy and this starts right from childhood.

“Children become dehydrated quickly especially now that summers are around the corner. Parents must monitor their water intake; when the kids go out to play, they must carry a bottle of water which they should drink from time to time”

–Dr Amar Vilas Kulkarni, a Nephrologist at DY Patil Hospital, Nerul, whose two daughters are students of Apeejay School, Nerul

According to Dr Amar Vilas Kulkarni, a Nephrologist at DY Patil Hospital, Nerul, whose two daughters are students of Apeejay School, Nerul, there are a few things that parents can do to ensure that their kids’ kidneys are healthy. “Parents must take responsibility when it comes to their children’s health,” Dr Kulkarni said and recommends the following:

1. Ensure that your child is properly hydrated at all times: This means that they must drink six to eight glasses of clear water. However, it can include fruit juices. It has been seen that children become dehydrated quickly especially now that summers are around the corner. Parents must monitor their water intake; when the kids go out to play, they must carry a bottle of water which they should drink from time to time.

Dr Kulkarni gives an example of a school in Mumbai that has a water bell. “The idea is to ensure that the kids drink water at regular intervals. So, the school rings the bell to let the students know that it is time to drink water. This initiative is innovative and ensures that students remain properly hydrated,” Dr Kulkarni opined.

2. Inculcate the habit of using the washroom in school: This is something that parents must teach their kids. It has been found that because there are some schools where the toilets are dirty, students don’t use the facility for six to eight hours; this is especially true for girl students. Parents must appeal to the school administration to keep the washrooms clean. Parents must also inculcate the habit in the child to go to use the facilities.

“If the child doesn’t go to the washroom for long hours, it can lead to water retention and even lead to UTIs,” Dr Kulkarni warned.

3. No junk to kids: It is important that parents don’t pack junk food in their kids’ tiffin boxes and even at home limit the number of times their children eat this. Eating junk is leading to childhood obesity. Obesity increases blood pressure (BP) and affects the kidney. In cases the child has morbid obesity, it can lead to certain kidney diseases like high BP, swollen feet, and in severe conditions protein leak. Developing healthy eating habits will make sure that the adult remains fit.

“In this regard, Apeejay School, Nerul monitors and insists that parents don’t pack junk food for their kids. This is a good move. It ensures that children eat wholesome food that is cooked at home,” Dr Kulkarni said.

Foods to eat

What are some things that parents give to their children? “Anything and everything that has less salt are good. This means that processed foods must not be given at any cost. A typical healthy meal for a child must include salad, daal, vegetables, yogurt, and roti/rice,” Dr Kulkarni said and listed the following food that must be included in the diet: Fruits, green leafy veggies, fish, nuts, and whole grains.

However, Dr Kulkarni said that red meat should be avoided. “There is no restriction of what children can eat and not provided they don’t have any other health ailment that restricts the intake of certain food. But red meat should be avoided. Food that is fried repeatedly in oil like batata vada, and pakoras should be avoided at all costs,” he advised.

When to consult the nephrologist

1.  If the school-goer is persistently bed-wetting or the child is unable to control his/her urine.

2. If the child is getting swelling on the feet or under the eyes.

3. If it has been found that the child’s BP is high during routine visits to the doctor.

4. Never give your child over-the-counter medication. Always consult a doctor before giving any medicine. This is especially true when the child has a fever.

5. A child should be taken for regular check-ups if he/she is a high-risk patient – if there is a history of diseases like BP, heart ailments, and kidney diseases in the family.

6. If the child notices blood in the urine or reddish colour urine.

“If the child shows any of the above-mentioned symptoms, he/she must be taken to a nephrologist immediately to ensure there is no long-term permanent damage to the kidneys,” Dr Kulkarni said in conclusion.